First contact is the start of the partial phases of a solar eclipse. Looking closely at the top left hand side of the sun, you can see the moon beginning to cover the cover the sun. During a total solar eclipse, the moon with continue its journey accross the solar disc until the sun is totally covered.
My personal advise on what to do and see in Rome
Mt Egmont seen from the King Edward Park playing fields in Stratford
The Stratford Glockenspeil in Taranaki
The Antelope - your local, dog friendly, beer friendly pub
Must see ancient monuments around Rome
Historical information about the gothic Antwerp Cathedral
What to see, where to stay and eat in historic Antwerp
Recommended hotels in Vienna, Salzburg and Bregenz
European tourism and rail organisations - a quick reference (T) - A reference guide to European tourism and rail organisations (T)
Lucerne - 7 things not to miss - What not to miss in Lucerne
Zürich - a brief history of Grossmünster - A brief history of the distinctive twin-spired Grossmünster in Zürich
Why chase solar eclipses? - Why I chase total solar eclipse all over the world
Europe - Travel information from around Europe
Rapperswil - What a visitor to Rapperswil needs to know
Switzerland - sacred destinations - Nine of the finest churchs, cathedrals and monastries in Switzerland
Switzerland - places not to miss - Sixteen places not to miss around Switzerland
2012 Solar Eclipse totality seen from offshore of Port Douglas - Video of totality during the 2012 eclipse seen from Port Douglas in Queensland
Italy - 10 places not to miss - 10 places you shouldn't miss in Italy
Mark Sukhija is a travel and wine blogger, photographer, tourism researcher, hat-touting, white-shirt-wearing, New Zealand fantatic and eclipse chaser. Aside from at least annual visits to New Zealand, Mark has seen eclipses in South Australia (2002), Libya (2006), China (2009) and Queensland (2012). After twelve years in Switzerland, Mark moved back to London in 2012. You can follow Mark on Twitter or Facebook